FAQs
Here you will find some frequently asked questions on obstetrics.
| Can I drink alcohol? No, alcohol can harm your baby’s health. When a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, it quickly reaches her fetus. The same amount of alcohol that’s in her blood is in her baby’s blood. Drinking alcohol at any time during pregnancy can cause problems for your unborn baby. |
| Can I have caffeine? Caffeine is found in coffee, cola, energy drinks, soft drinks, teas, and chocolate. At this time, there is no proof that small amounts of caffeine are harmful to the fetus. We recommend limiting your caffeine intake to one or two (6 oz) caffeine drinks per day. |
| Can I have dental work? Don’t cancel your regular dental visit just because you are pregnant. A dental exam early in pregnancy will help ensure your mouth stays healthy. You may notice that your gums bleed very easily. Use a soft toothbrush, brush at least twice a day and use dental floss. When you visit the dentist, let them know you are pregnant. Dental x-rays with abdominal shielding and Novacaine are safe in pregnancy. Most dental offices require a release from your physician; please let us know at least one week in advance of an upcoming appointment so we may provide the appropriate release. |
| Can I douche during pregnancy? No. It is not necessary. |
| I'm 10 weeks pregnant and spotting. Should I be concerned? Any time bleeding occurs in a pregnancy we want to hear from you. In early pregnancy the cause can be as simple as the fertilized egg implanting in the endometrium or hormonal changes. It can also be as serious as an ectopic pregnancy or a threatened miscarriage. Always call your doctor. |
| What do I do in an emergency? A physician is on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. During regular office hours, please contact our office. After hours, our answering service will put you in contact with our on-call physician. If your line does not receive anonymous calls, you must dial *87 in order to receive a return call from the physician. |
| What is an episiotomy? An episiotomy is a small incision made on the perineum between the vaginal opening and the rectum to enlarge the vaginal opening for delivery. |
| Is exercise safe during pregnancy? Exercise has excellent physical and emotional benefits. It will help you remain health and feeling your best while your body rapidly changes, it can also help you prepare for labor and delivery. Before you start an exercise program, talk with your doctor to make sure you do not have any health conditions that may limit your activity. |
| I haven't felt the baby move. Should I be worried? You should start to feel fetal movement in the beginning of the second trimester and they do vary. An active mother may not notice movement. If you haven't felt significant movement, drink a large glass of ice water or fruit juice and sit down for an hour to monitor movement. You should notice 5-6 movements per hour. |
| Should I have genetic counseling and/or testing? If your are 35 years of age or over, or if you have a family history of birth defects, mental retardation, or certain medical conditions, we offer genetic counseling and genetic testing. Your physician can furnish you with more information regarding these tests. |
| Can I have my hair colored or permed? Hair processing such as coloring, perms and straightening are found to be safe during pregnancy. |
| What can I use for hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are common during and after pregnancy. Increase your fiber intake to decrease the firmness of the stool. Also increase your water consumption. To relieve the symptoms, we recommend over the counter medications such as Preparation H or Tucks. You can also use sitz baths or make a soothing solution by following these directions. To prepare the solution, use 1 cup Epsom salt to 1 quart water. Mix equal parts solution and mineral oil and apply with cotton to rectal tissue. |
| Are hot tubs, baths and saunas safe? A warm bath can be a safe and relaxing treat during pregnancy. But, it is not safe for you to become overheated in a hot tub, very hot bath, or sauna. We recommend avoiding these activities during your pregnancy. |
| What medications are safe to take during pregnancy? Almost everything you take has some subtle impact on a developing fetus. Some drugs are absolutely toxic to the unborn child. Medical science knows too little about most drugs to be sure what their effects are. Most importantly, we sometimes only learn of their impact 15 or 20 years later. Even though you don't think of things like over-the-counter headache and cold remedies, aspirin, and so forth as medicine, they all fall into this category. Be sure to mention anything you're taking or have taken earlier in the pregnancy. Refer to our “Safe Medications” handout for a list of over-the-counter medications. "Safe" medications to relieve cold symptoms include Robitussin DM, Sudafed, Tylenol, Cepacol throat lozenges, and saline nose drops. |
| What can I do for morning sickness? Avoid caffeine drinks and get up slowly in the morning. Frequent small meals can help and some women report sour candies as being useful. Vitamin B6 injections can be administered in the office in severe cases. |
| Can I paint? Avoid exposure to lead and oil-based paints. If you paint, use only latex paint in a well-ventilated area. Avoid exposure to paint removers, thinners and paint brush cleaning solution. |
| After my baby was born, I bled for 2 or 3 weeks and now it's heavier again. Is this normal? Yes. Many women have their first menses 3-4 weeks after delivery. You have already ovulated so you can become pregnant again. Keep this in mind when having intercourse. |
| What is a Quad Screen? This maternal blood test screens for Open Neural Tube Defects, such as spina bifida. It also gives information about the risk of Down ’s syndrome. Screening is recommended between 15-18 weeks gestation. Remember, this is only a screening tool, if the results are positive, further diagnostic testing may be indicated. |
| Is cigarette smoke harmful to my unborn baby? Yes, if a woman smokes during pregnancy, her baby is exposed to harmful chemicals such as tar, nicotine, and carbon monoxide. Smoking also increases the risk of miscarriage, still birth, a low birth weight baby, SIDS, and the likelihood of health problems during infancy. We strongly recommend that you quit smoking and avoid exposure to second hand smoke. |
| Is it safe to travel during pregnancy? Travel by air in commercial aircraft can be unrestricted until you are close to delivery. After 36-38 weeks, it is more prudent to stay close to home unless there are extenuating circumstances. Most airlines will refuse you passage in your last month unless you have a note from your doctor. If traveling after 32 weeks, you may want to have a cervical check done during the week before you go. Long trips by car are less desirable, but can be taken if common sense is used. You should stop every two to three hours, move around, exercise your legs, etc. |
| When will I have an ultrasound? A routine ultrasound between 18-20 weeks is performed to make sure your baby is growing as it should, confirm your estimated due date, screen for fetal abnormalities, evaluate the position of the placenta, determine the amount of amniotic fluid, see if you are carrying more than one baby, and check for openings or shortening of the cervix. Sometimes it is possible to see the sex of the baby and sometimes it is not. If your baby is lying in an inconvenient position, the baby's sex cannot be determined. In many cases, women need only one ultrasound examination, but for a variety of medical reasons, your doctor may order additional scans during your pregnancy. |
| Is there a vaginal exam at each prenatal visit? No. The first exam is considered your workup and important cultures as well as a pap smear may be obtained. Unless problems arise that warrant more frequent vaginal exams, you won't have another until near delivery. |
| Can I videotape the birth of my baby? It is our policy to not to allow video cameras of any sort in the delivery room. Cameras taking still photos may be used unless directed otherwise by the physician. |
| How much weight should I gain? If you are the appropriate weight for your height and body build, you should gain between 25-35 pounds. During the first 12-14 weeks of pregnancy, you should gain no more than 2-4 lbs; thereafter, you should gain ˝ to 1 lb per week. |
